SOME ULTIMATE PRACTICAL TIPS AND TRICKS

BARGAINING RULES

Photo credit: Viktoria

Get used to it, once you become more confident it gets easier to bargain. After a few weeks you'll get used to to rikshaw fares and the overall bragaining mentality. However once you're in it, try not to overdo it. Example: we went to the 'Silk of India' fair and had our eyes on a leather purse. The second the guy told us the price we offered him a 40-50 Rs lower price. He just smiled and pointed to the huge sign behind him, saying: "fixed prices, no bargaining". Bummer.

BREAD.

As basic and simple as it may sound, bread is not everywhere to be found. Supermarkets offer a few kind of pre-packed sliced bread along with some rolls but to get the freshly baked 'real' bread, one needs to hit up some foreign shops (e.g.: a French bakery). We were looking for baguette for Mathieu's birthday, it was a rather impossible mission, I must say. Then one day Ben came home with a freshly baked real bread-like bread in his hands. It was a day to remember. We had the same issues with butter, cheese and good coffee. 

(Note: even the bread doesn't escape from being 'masalized', there are several types of masala bread. Yay.)

SO WHAT'S UP WITH ALCOHOL?

As you might know many Indians do not drink alcohol, however, in 'permit rooms' and wine shops it easy to get drinks. There are western-style pubs and also clubs do offer alcoholic beverages. In the case of our housewarming party (which was a wild ride, lasted until 11 pm) we offered both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and it turned out some of our friends do drink sometimes.
*Quick note to first-timers: no matter how fancy or posh the bar is, do not forget: NO icecubes fo you.

PREPARE FOR MONSOON!

Photo credit: Viktoria

Before we came our contact send us an information package, letting us know what to bring how to prepare for the trip etc. One thing she mentioned all the time: proper walking shoes because we arrive in the middle of monsoon season. Now in my head I head this rather depressing image of floods and constant rain, I went shopping for those stylish rubber boots and raincoat, thinking I should be well prepaired. Little did I know that it is not like that, after a couple of weeks I was so happy I passed on the rubber boots because of their weight (plane restrictions) and at the end I didn't buy the raincoat either, I just brought a seethrough pocket-poncho with me (the kind they give away on festivals). Sandals worked way better for me in the rain, water comes and goes, no squeaky sounds etc. As for the rain-poncho, I still have it in my bag, but have never used it, no point, humidity was sky-high when we came, we were happy to be able to move around and under the poncho thing I would have been a bowl of a living boiling human-soup. So braving the rain worked the best for us.

CONDOMS?

Now that is a tricky one. What to do if you are in need of condoms in India? Pharmacies and drug stores are your friends, of course, but no matter how open-minded your Indian friends might be, asking for condoms can raise some serious eyebrows among shopkeepers. Firstly, consider the location, more western-friendly neighbourhoods or districts will be more likely not to make a fuss. I heard stories of guys slipping notes to the guy in the pharmacy, in order to avoid awkward moments. Secondly, it might be a good tip to say the brand name e.g.: 'Durex' instead of 'condoms'. Thirdly, if manageable, let the man arrange these things, better for everyone. Girls might get some serious cold shoulder on this one.

MOSQUITOS vs MALARIA

So what is going on with malaria, you might ask? Not much. I mean Pune is a big city, with highways, malls etc. it is not in the middle of the jungle. The most problem we had with mosquitos was I guess still in the guest house of the university, on our first week. The campus is kind of a jungle, so that explains it all, but some mosquito repellent, screens and it's all good. The extremely naive thought of simply not letting mosquitos bite me got crushed the very first night nay first few hours of staying in India. The scary looks on my doctor's face and her words: 'If I were you, I would take some malaria medicine with me, you never know' seems quit funny now, although yes, I do have some medicine with me in the bottom of my luggage, it seems very unlikely that I would need it, though. In case of fever, there are many hospitals we could go to. 

SPICES ARE GOING TO BE YOUR NEW FAMILY

Spices, spices everywhere. Starting with masala chai (spicy milky tea), lime soda (with salt and pepper), masala chips, masala burger, the ever-present chili, the sky is the limit, but there's really no choice, go spicy or go home!

Photo credit: Floor

SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR GIRLS

• Scarves and sunglasses: all time best frieds. Curious looks will follow you wherever you go, but a scarf also comes handy when riding in the rikshaws, to reduce the pollution you breathe in.
  
  
• Beauty products: you can get amazing skincare products (both European and Asian brands) for a ridiculously cheap price. No need to stack up back home of your favourite makeup remover or tonic. Maybe one thing can be tricky: hairdye. No problem to find brown or black colours, some red can also be managed, but if you're in need for blonde dye that can be tough. However the shopkeepers in bigger medical shops will probably offer you the possibility to order the colour you need and then problem solved.
  (Also, fun fact: you will find a lot of "whitening" or "skin-lightening" products.)
  
• Tampons/pads: stop with the nightmares already, again, no need to travel with O.B. multipacks, you can get tampons and pads here too, in many shops. However, it is a good idea to carry some tampons with applicators with you, as you might not get the chance to wash and dry your hands properly everywhere.
  
• Crowd management: that can be tough for first-timers. Me too, I had my share of freaking out, but that is something you need to handle well. People and especially men will look at you, photos will be taken etc. No need to get all cranky about it, confidence and general not-caring-that-much will get you through the awkward feeling, but it is important not to behave in a provoking way.